Indian Penal Code, 1860 to Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, 2023

The Indian Penal Code, 1860 to Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, 2023, is a comprehensive overhaul of colonial-era criminal laws. In response to evolving times three significant bills were introduced in the Lok Sabha with the intention of replacing long-standing legislations.

The Bill contains 356 provisions, repealing 22 of the IPC, proposing changes to 175 existing provisions, and introducing 9 new sections. It addresses acts such as sedition, armed rebellion, subversive activities, and encouraging feelings of separatist activities. The minimum punishment for serious crimes in India has been extended from 3 years to 7 years, with alternate punishment options increased. Section 69 criminalizes establishing sexual relations with false identity or promise of marriage, imposing a 10-year imprisonment term.

The Bill also redefines 'life imprisonment' to 'imprisonment for natural life', prescribes 20 years or life imprisonment for all types of Gang Rape, and includes provisions for punishment for disclosing the identity of rape survivors. It also decriminalizes suicide attempts, introduces 'snatching' as a criminal offense, and introduces a new offence of organized crime.

A new addition to the provision of murder is included in Provision 101 (2) which says, when a group of five or more individuals acting in collusion commits murder based on specified discriminatory grounds, each member faces severe penalties, including death, life imprisonment, or a minimum seven-year prison term, along with fines. Now, not just the person who pulled the trigger or stabbed the victim, but all the people acting together will be subjected to the same punishment.